Headlight restoration disaster

A.P.A.D.

A.P.A.D.

New member
Joined
Dec 2, 2010
Messages
949
Reaction score
0
Normally I do headlight restorations via the compound/polish/seal method, but I wanted to try to start doing restorations more permanently via the wet sand and spray clear coat method.

I needed a vehicle to practice on. My father-in-law works for a roofing distribution company, so he has access to trucks. He had a sleeper truck on the lot that needed one of the headlights restored so he told me to come by and practice on that, since they were going to buy a new light anyways.
The tools I used are as follows:
I wet sanded the light after masking around it. And it was looking pretty good at this point, just looked a little hazy as expected from 1500grit. So I reached for the clearcoat, but when I applied it I was too close and there was runs in the clear. Other than the runs it looked good and clear, but I wasn’t happy with that.
So I wet sanded the clear off and had at it again. Unfortunately I don’t think I got all the clear off and am not happy with how it turned out.
Here are some before and after shots. The first two are before and the last two are afters. Is there anything that can be done at this point?! Sand the mess out of them by hand attempting to get all the clear off? And have at it again? There is nothing polishing will do right?
I’m a perfectionist, so this is really bugging me and am really frustrated.


DSCN1168.jpg


DSCN1169.jpg



DSCN1170.jpg



DSCN1171.jpg





:help:
 
Well, those lenses hardly look like a disaster. It sounds like sanding all of the clear you sprayed on and respraying is the only fix.
 
A.P.A.D. said:
Normally I do headlight restorations via the compound/polish/seal method, but I wanted to try to start doing restorations more permanently via the wet sand and spray clear coat method.

I needed a vehicle to practice on. My father-in-law works for a roofing distribution company, so he has access to trucks. He had a sleeper truck on the lot that needed one of the headlights restored so he told me to come by and practice on that, since they were going to buy a new light anyways.

The tools I used are as follows:
I wet sanded the light after masking around it. And it was looking pretty good at this point, just looked a little hazy as expected from 1500grit. So I reached for the clearcoat, but when I applied it I was too close and there was runs in the clear. Other than the runs it looked good and clear, but I wasn’t happy with that.
So I wet sanded the clear off and had at it again. Unfortunately I don’t think I got all the clear off and am not happy with how it turned out.
Here are some before and after shots. The first two are before and the last two are afters. Is there anything that can be done at this point?! Sand the mess out of them by hand attempting to get all the clear off? And have at it again? There is nothing polishing will do right?
I’m a perfectionist, so this is really bugging me and am really frustrated.


DSCN1168.jpg


DSCN1169.jpg



DSCN1170.jpg



DSCN1171.jpg





:help:
Click to expand...
what kind of clear coat u use and for as wet sanding i usually wet sand around 1000 to 3000 with a 3"inch sander it take to long by hand for me you done a good job
 
thanks Garry, but expanding the pictures, u can tell that the lenses are not smooth and has some lines in the clear.
 
Reggie, u can see the list of tools i used in my first post. click on the clear coat link to see what clear it is.

expanding the pictures, u can tell it is far from perfect though
 
Maybe I'm way off, but it looks in the photos as if it had recently rained. Could the runs in the paint have been caused by humidity?

I would recommend letting the paint cure, then wetsand with 2000+ grit and polish like like you would paint, unless that paint is some kind of special stuff...
 
One tip. I paint cars and i know how clear works like the palm of my hand. Lets say you do a car, if you dont cover the entire car, and i mean entire car from front to back. You will get overspray on the car. This is why if you are going to clear some head lights, take them off and do em aside. If not, you have to cover the entire car. Some people cover only the front end, but trust me, it will get to the back and any other car around you. So if you want to use clear, take them off. Its a hassle covering the entire car just to do headlights. Check out my thread and see what i did and my little theory. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/36528-headlight-restoration-50-50-a.html

These headlights were also done in the same manner as the one in that thread.
 
It is hard to tell in the photos but I understand you wanting them to look perfect, (or as close as you can get to that).

Maybe I can drive up and see the light. You are only about 30 minutes up the road. You could always come down to the biggest Hollering Contest in the world this weekend at Spivey’s Corner and drive the car down here, Shhh don't tell the father in law :dblthumb2:

I bet your Father in law has been Very busy with all the storms that came thru last month. We had a bunch of damaged homes down this way.

Anyway have a great weekend and a better father’s day,
 
Ted, I think im going to go back and wetsand the clear back off and then just compound, polish, and seal. The aresol can of clear coat just doesnt work for me (or i dont work well for it)

Jim, thanks for the offer. The truck is an semi truck and i dont have a CDL so driving it isnt an option. my father-in-law doesnt like people's personal property damaged, but it is job security in that profession.

I have never heard of Spivey's Corner. ill have to google map that one. sounds like a fun ride out to on the motorcycles.
 
93fox said:
One tip. I paint cars and i know how clear works like the palm of my hand. Lets say you do a car, if you dont cover the entire car, and i mean entire car from front to back. You will get overspray on the car. This is why if you are going to clear some head lights, take them off and do em aside. If not, you have to cover the entire car. Some people cover only the front end, but trust me, it will get to the back and any other car around you. So if you want to use clear, take them off. Its a hassle covering the entire car just to do headlights. Check out my thread and see what i did and my little theory. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/36528-headlight-restoration-50-50-a.html

These headlights were also done in the same manner as the one in that thread.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the tip Oscar. I did only mask off about a 1 foot area around the lights. i couldnt imagine masking up an entire semi truck though.

im more concerned with getting this headlight looking right though. im going back after work today and thinking about just sanding the clear back off and then compound and polish the light and slap some sealant on it. not permanant like i wanted but better than buying a new headlight right.
 
If the imperfections in the clear are not that bad I don't see why you have to sand it off completely. Treat it like the rest of the paint on the car and wet sand to level imperfections (2000-3000grit) and polish. I would think if the clear is cured and there is a heavy enough coat it should work just the same.
 
A.P.A.D. said:
I have never heard of Spivey's Corner. ill have to google map that one. sounds like a fun ride out to on the motorcycles.
Click to expand...

Good Grief.
Spivey's Corner was in the news this morning up here in the big city. They are having a big weekend full of events. Including a hog calling contest.
 
DaHen said:
Good Grief.
Spivey's Corner was in the news this morning up here in the big city. They are having a big weekend full of events. Including a hog calling contest.
Click to expand...


Not trying to hijack the tread but yes, it is usually on Good Morning America the next morning announcing the winner. It is something to see all the men and women up there hollering, I live close to 1 mile away and with the speakers and the wind blowing right I can hear them.

Anyway, everyone have a great Fathers Day and a Great weekend.
:xyxthumbs:
 
A.P.A.D. said:
Ted, I think im going to go back and wetsand the clear back off and then just compound, polish, and seal. The aresol can of clear coat just doesnt work for me (or i dont work well for it)

Jim, thanks for the offer. The truck is an semi truck and i dont have a CDL so driving it isnt an option. my father-in-law doesnt like people's personal property damaged, but it is job security in that profession.

I have never heard of Spivey's Corner. ill have to google map that one. sounds like a fun ride out to on the motorcycles.
Click to expand...


Please don't drive the truck, I was just kidding. LOL :props:

If you have been to Newton Grove and the traffic Circle you have been real Close.
It has one red light and a Volunteer Fire Department, and a Mom and Pop restaurant that is open from 0530 to 1300hrs.

We just got a new gas station type convenient store last year. We are very happy with that. Im the MAN

Maybe if I am coming up that way sometime I can get some pointers on the wifes rims. They are killing me.

Again have a great weekend,
 
Did I miss something here ?

You finished wetsanding with 1500 grit, then just sprayed clearcoat over your 1500 grit sanding scratch's ?

Did you compound out your sanding marks first ?
 
Darn Yankee said:
Please don't drive the truck, I was just kidding. LOL :props:

If you have been to Newton Grove and the traffic Circle you have been real Close.
It has one red light and a Volunteer Fire Department, and a Mom and Pop restaurant that is open from 0530 to 1300hrs.

We just got a new gas station type convenient store last year. We are very happy with that. Im the MAN

Maybe if I am coming up that way sometime I can get some pointers on the wifes rims. They are killing me.

Again have a great weekend,
Click to expand...


We probably rode through there then. I remember rolling through a town named Turkey, almost fell of the bike laughing!

what is wrong with the rims? let me know how i can help!


mg6045 said:
Did I miss something here ?

You finished wetsanding with 1500 grit, then just sprayed clearcoat over your 1500 grit sanding scratch's ?

Did you compound out your sanding marks first ?
Click to expand...

Refering to many posted in this forum refering to restoring headlights with this method, click here for one of them, ive read some folks stop sanding at 800grit and apply clear from there.

the clear wouldnt bond as well without the "bite" of the 1500 grit, thus this method wouldnt work well with compounding. the clear fills in the 1500 scratches making the lense clear.
 
so...I went back to the truck today and used M105 w/ a yellow 4in pad and it smoothed out the clear quite a bit. still not perfect, but looks alot better than it did before i touched the headlight.

father-in-law told me to stop stressing about it. no more using the clear coat technique for me =(

thanks for the help everyone!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top